06-16-2015 PCMMINUTES
HUTCHINSON PLANNING COMMISSION
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
5:30 p.m.
1. CALL TO ORDER 5:30 P.M.
The June 16, 2015 Planning Commission meeting was called to order by Chair Hantge at
5:30 p.m. Members in bold were present Chair Hantge, Commissioner Kirchoff,
Commissioner Johnston, Commissioner Norton, Commissioner Arndt, Commissioner
Wick, and Commissioner Fahey. Also present were Dan Jochum, City Planner, Kyle
Dimler, Planning and Building Specialist, Kent Exner, City Engineer, and Marc
Sebora, City Attorney.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. CONSENT AGENDA
A. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES DATED MAY 19, 2015
Motion by Commissioner Kirchoff, Second by Commissioner Norton to approve.
Approved unanimously.
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. CONSIDERATION OF CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ALLOW THE
OPERATION AND SCREENING OF A RECYCLABLE MATERIALS
COLLECTION CENTER WITHIN I-1 AND I-2 ZONING DISTRICTS
LOCATED AT 1065 5 TH AVE. SE, MCLEOD COUNTY, APPLICANT
Chair Hantge introduced the agenda item.
Commissioner Kirchoff read aloud the guidelines for the public hearing portion of
the evening's meeting.
Dan Jochum, City Director of Planning/Zoning/Building Dept., presented to the
Commission. Mr. Jochum reviewed briefly the nature of the applicant's industry
and the C.U.P. granted to the applicant's property in 1999, a condition of which
was that no outdoor storage was allowed.
Mr. Jochum stated as the operation has evolved and grown, some outdoor storage
has taken place and the applicant is now requesting the C.U.P. so they may
maintain compliance with the requirements of the C.U.P. and be permitted to have
screened outdoor storage.
Mr. Jochum shared photographs of the current conditions of the applicant's site
taken from adjacent properties.
Minutes
Hutchinson Planning Commission
June 16, 2014
Page 2
Mr. Jochum presented marketing illustrations of the types of fencing the applicant
is considering as options for screening.
Mr. Jochum stated that he met last week with County Commissioner Paul Wright
who asked the Commission to consider an 8' tall fence rather than the 10' fence
recommended by City Staff
Mr. Jochum presented an aerial map illustrating where Staff recommends limiting
outdoor storage to on the applicant's site, as well as the location of the
recommended vegetative screening outside the fenced area. Mr. Jochum
reviewed the remainder of the Staff recommended conditions included in the
Commission's packet.
Commissioner Norton asked why Staff recommended a 10' fence rather than the
requested 8' fence.
Mr. Jochum noted current storage on the applicant's site is already at
approximately the top of a proposed 8' fence.
Commissioner Norton asked how similar industries are handled within the City.
Mr. Jochum stated this is not a situation the City encounters often.
Mr. Jochum noted McLeod County staff believes an 8' fence would be sufficient
to retain and screen the materials they have on site.
Commissioner Kirchoff asked if Staff has concerns with the possibility of site
run-off towards the adjacent drainage pond.
Mr. Jochum stated the applicant is working with the State and Federal regulatory
agencies to ensure they are in compliance with the pertinent regulations.
Commissioner Arndt recommended requiring a fence without tree screening due
to maintenance requirements of weed growth and trash gathering in the vegetation
over time.
Commissioner Kirchoff asked if the storm water retention pond adjacent to the
proposed outdoor storage area would need to be enlarged if additional impervious
surface is created on site.
City Engineer, Kent Exner stated that the pond on site is designed for
approximately 98% site coverage.
McLeod County Commissioner Neis addressed the Commission regarding the
proposed fence recommendation.
Minutes
Hutchinson Planning Commission
June 16, 2014
Page 3
Mr. Neis stated the cost difference between an 8' fence and a 10' fence would be
approximately $100,000. Mr. Neis stated the applicant would much rather
provide trees outside the fenced area rather than a 10' fence.
Mr. Neis stated with the addition recently made to the applicant's facility, there
will be no "one sort" material stored outside.
Chair Hantge asked Mr. Neis if the condition of completion of the recommended
fencing within 10 weeks was feasible for the applicant..
Mr. Neis stated it would be a challenging timeline but would be accomplished
with the provision of an 8' fence.
Miles Seppelt, Hutchinson EDA Director, addressed the Commission. Mr.
Seppelt stated the EDA is the neighboring property owner to the north and stated
the EDA would be satisfied with an 8' fence with the provision of the requirement
of no wind-blown materials being stored outside.
Mr. Jochum reviewed Staff recommended conditions for the granting of the
C.U.P. Mr. Jochum stated an additional recommendation would be that the fence
must not encroach in the easement area adjacent to the storm water retention pond
on site.
Commissioner Kirchoff asked to clarify recommendation #10.
Mr. Jochum noted Staff's concern was with compliance of the industrial
stormwater permitting required of the applicant.
Chair Hantge asked if the Commission was comfortable with an 8' fence rather
than a 10' fence. The Commission unanimously was in favor of an 8' fence.
Chair Hantge asked if the Commission was comfortable with removing the
recommendation of trees outside the fence. Discussion followed.
Kirchoff moved, second by Fahey to close public hearing at 6:03 p.m.
Fahey moved to recommend approval with the change of Condition # 3 from a
10' fence to an 8' fence, removing the recommendation of trees being planted
outside the fence, and including a condition requiring the outdoor storage and
associated fencing to not encroach on the easement area adjacent to the storm
water retention pond on the site. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Kirchoff. The motion was approved unanimously. This item will be on City
Council's consent agenda for the next meeting scheduled for 6/23/15.
Motion to close hearing — Motion to approve with staff recommendations — Motion to reject
Minutes
Hutchinson Planning Commission
June 16, 2014
Page 4
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
6. NEW BUSINESS
7. COMMUNICATION FROM STAFF
A. Airport Master Plan / Zoning Update
Dan Jochum introduced Melissa Underwood of Bolton & Menk, the airport
consultant to the City, to the Planning Commission.
Ms. Underwood presented a report to the Commission updating the Airport
Master Plan.
Mr. Jochum noted the Commission is not tasked with approving this report but
rather providing feedback.
B. Discussion of electronic signs for churches, schools, etc.
Mr. Jochum stated he would like to get feedback from the Commission regarding
the possibility of revising the City Sign Ordinance as it pertains to dynamic signs
often requested by religious organizations typically in residential zoning districts.
Commission was in favor of researching what other comparably sized and located
communities are doing with this type of ordinance and moving the ordinance
forward to be relative to changing technologies.
C. Upcoming Meetings
8. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Commissioner Arndt, Second by Wick to adjourn the meeting at 6:29 p.m.